Wanderers win battle of West v West

Western Sydney Wanderers have bounced back with a gutsy 1-0 victory over Western United in the ‘West v West’ showdown in Ballarat.

Western Sydney’s Dylan McGowan is tackled by Western United’s Besart Berisha

Western Sydney Wanderers have bounced back with a gutsy 1-0 victory over Western United in the ‘West v West’ showdown in Ballarat.

Jordon Mutch’s second-half strike was the difference and even with their coach Carl Robinson missing due to illness they rallied to take home all three points following two straight defeats.

Following a tense first-half, Western United were forced into an early sub after goalkeeper Filip Kurto failed to pass a concussion test following a collision with teammate Aaron Calver’s knee.

However, shortly after the break, Jerry Skotadis was pick-pocketed by Mutch who then fired past substitute goalkeeper Ryan Scott to give the Wanderers the lead.

Western thought they had an equaliser when Dylan Pierias fired from range but his effort only missed by a matter of inches.

In the final moments, Besart Berisha was seen to have been pulled down in the box by Simon Cox but to his frustration a penalty wasn’t given.

Iker Guarrotxena and Kwame Yeboah traded chances at both ends in added time with the latter rattling the post – coming inches away from the Wanderers’ second.

It seems as if Western Sydney may have finally found their missing ingredient in midfield.

Former English Premier League midfielder Jordon Mutch impressed in his first start in the A-League capping it off with a well-taken goal to fire his side to a much-needed three points.

Mutch helped steady the Wanderers midfield, providing a solid tandem alongside fellow EPL alum Graeme Dorrans.

Only just over a year ago, Scott was balancing life as a bricklayer and a footballer.

As Kurto was forced off with a head injury, it gave the 25-year-old goalkeeper a rare opportunity between the sticks and only his second in his short A-League career.

Scott, who was signed last-season from NPL outfit Bentleigh Greens was steady between the sticks but was unable to stop Mutch’s unbeatable strike.

Kurto will miss Wednesday’s match against Sydney FC due to the A-League’s concussion protocols meaning Scott will earn his first A-League start.

Pierias has a tendency to score goals which get the fans off their seat – whether they count or not is another question.

With his side behind, Pierias tested his luck from range and his effort only narrowly missed the mark but the fans in Ballarat and those in charge of the music at Mars Stadium thought differently.

Awkwardly, after a few seconds of celebrating, they soon came to realise Pierias had missed as play resumed from a goal-kick.

This isn’t Pierias’ first rodeo who had a winner disallowed against Melbourne Victory little over a month ago which was also met by raucous cheers and pyro.

NCA Newswire